The Ultimate All-Natural Guide to Staying Well This Winter

Posted by Grace McCalmon on November 20, 2015

You eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep. Or, at least you try. Yet, every winter, despite your best efforts, a nasty bug seems to get the best of you. What gives?
While diet and lifestyle are two of the most important keys to good health, there are a few other tips and tricks you can try to help boost your immune system and your odds of staying well this winter.

We’ve compiled our list of the best natural wellness aids to help keep you from getting sick, and speed your recovery if you’re already under the weather.

Stress comes in different forms: environmental, nutritional, and physical – which includes exercise.

If you’re starting to feel run down, maybe skip the HITT for the day, and focus on activities that soothe the body and the mind. Try restorative yoga, or a soak in the tub with magnesium bath flakes. Magnesium helps our muscles relax, and the heat from the water will help increase absorption through the skin.

IF YOU’RE ALREADY SICK:

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Like coconut oil, ACV is one of those pantry staples that serves a multitude of purposes – from at-home beauty treatments to chemical-free cleaning. ACV contains antimicrobial properties, and it’s been shown to eliminate bacteria in food preparation. It’s less effective than pharmaceutical medications and chemical disinfectants, but there is anecdotal evidence that gargling with one tablespoon ACV and warm water may help with sore throats and coughs.
ECHINACEA
Echinacea has been used for hundreds of years as a treatment for common colds and other infections. Some studies have shown Echinacea to increase white blood cell count and fight infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. But can Echinacea actually prevent a cold? The scientific research is mixed. If you’re going to give Echinacea a try, we recommend you buy your products from reputable, established brands, and, when possible, select products with guaranteed potency or standardized extracts.
We like Yogi Echinacea Immune Support tea, but please note: Echinacea shouldn’t be used as a preventative measure – it can over stimulate the immune system. It’s recommended only for short-term use when you’re experiencing symptoms. As always, check with your doctor before adding any new food or supplement to your routine.
ELECTROLYTES
If you’ve got the flu, diarrhea, or anything else that causes you to lose fluids, you need to replenish your electrolytes. But most of the electrolyte drinks in the grocery store are filled with artificial colors, flavors, and wacky ingredients. Even though the word “electrolytes” might sound like something you can only get from a lab, it actually comprises a lot of things you probably have in your kitchen. Here’s how to whip up your own all-natural Gatorade:
Ingredients:

½ cup orange juice

¼ cup lemon juice

2 cups water

2 Tbs raw honey

1/8 Tbs Celtic sea salt

Instructions:

Combine ingredients

Mix until all parts are dissolved

Sip regularly throughout the day

ESSENTIAL OILS
You may have seen one, or hundreds, of people taking to Facebook to tout the miraculous, healing benefits of essential oils. The theory is that essential oils are made up of tiny molecules that are easily absorbed. Each oil has a unique chemical composition, which can stimulate the immune system. There’s not a ton of scientific research to back up the claims, but there are many people who swear by these oils.
If you’re interested, you can give them a try, but be aware that the quality of the oils will affect their function and potency. Additionally, essential oils are highly concentrated – one drop of peppermint essential oil is equal to 26-28 cups of peppermint tea – so please check with a certified herbalist, naturopath, or doctor before experimenting.
HONEY
The use of honey for illness and wound healing dates back to ancient Egypt. Like the other foods on this list, honey contains antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Research has shown Manuka honey to be effective for wound care, and buckwheat honey for cough suppression.
Some claim that the high heat used in pasteurization kills many of honey’s beneficial constituents. In fact, the FDA says that any product that’s been ultra-filtered and no longer contains pollen isn’t honey. We like Y.S. Organic, Raw Honey.
Please note: you don’t want to give honey of any kind to a baby younger than one-year-old. Honey may contain spores of bacteria, which an infant’s immune system cannot handle.KINSA THERMOMETER Got a cold? There’s an app for that. Seriously. It was only a matter of time before thermometers got smart, and the Kinsa thermometer is the “world’s smartest thermometer.” It plugs directly into your smartphone, recording fever, symptoms, and medications. It’s unbreakable, comes with games to keep you amused, and its state-of-the-art technology ensures you get the most accurate and efficient reading possible.
LIP BALM
When temperatures drop, air loses its moisture and so do your lips. But did you know some lip balms contain ingredients that could make your dry lips even worse? To avoid getting sucked into a vicious ChapStick cycle, ditch any products that contain peppermint, salicylic acid, camphor, phenol, menthol, and any other ingredients that end in ‘ol’, which indicates alcohol. We like Badger Balm lip balms that are made with coconut oil, olive oil, and organic extracts.
LOZENGES
If you’ve got a sore throat, you may be tempted to reach for a cough drop, but many you’ll find at the drug store are filled with artificial colors, flavors, syrups, and sugar – the last thing you want if your immune system is weak. We like Thayer’s Original Lozenges. Each lozenge contains 150mg of Slippery Elm bark, which contains antioxidants, and helps coat and soothe the mouth, throat, and stomach.
TOOTHBRUSHES
This is kind of obvious, but many people forget to toss their toothbrush after they’re sick. While a virus can’t re-infect you, bacteria can. The odds are low, but why not play it safe and keep some extra brushes on hand?
OIL OF OREGANO
This Italian pantry staple contains antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-parasitic properties. Many claim oil of oregano can heal anything from warts and fungal infections to sore muscles and sore throats. The majority of research, however, has been limited to lab studies, and there is no published evidence to demonstrate that that oil of oregano is an effective treatment for any medical condition or illness.
If you want to give it a try, oil of oregano can be used externally and internally. But just because it’s an herb does not mean it’s not powerful. As with other essential oils, the quality varies from brand to brand, and it can be highly potent. Oil of oregano should always be diluted, and should not be used on a long-term or preventative basis. Again, check with an experienced practitioner before using this oil.
We hope some of these suggestions provide new and helpful information, and will keep you feeling at least a little better this winter. Of course, all of this content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please check with your doctor or primary care provider before introducing any type of remedy – natural or otherwise – into your protocol.
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